Expropriation to Save Lemay Forest <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ongoing debate around Lemay Forest clearly shows why the City of Winnipeg needs stronger bylaws and enforcement measures when it comes to protecting private forested and historically significant lands. We must have firm rules in place that prevent any land from being cleared before proper decisions are made. The city must do its due diligence first\u2014so we never again see land clearcut before we\u2019ve had the chance to fully consider its future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We heard loud and clear from residents\u2014many of you came to City Hall, wrote in, or made calls\u2014sharing your deep concern and passion for protecting Lemay Forest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why the City of Winnipeg is now considering expropriation of this 18-acre river bottom forest in St. Norbert. This isn\u2019t just another patch of trees\u2014it\u2019s one of the last intact riparian forests within our city, home to a range of species including the pileated woodpecker. It\u2019s also a beloved natural space that Winnipeggers have said they expect the city to stand up for and protect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The forest is also historically significant. It\u2019s connected to the Asile Ritchot orphanage and home for unwed mothers, which operated in the early 1900s. Archival records, shared with council by local historians, suggest there may be a cemetery on site\u2014with possibly 3,000 or more unmarked graves. Community members have raised important concerns about the presence of Indigenous children among the deceased. This land holds cultural and historical weight that simply can\u2019t be overlooked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In September 2024, City Council rejected a proposed 2,500-unit development on this land. Still, trees began coming down\u2014prompting protests, court filings, and community outrage. The City is now exploring options to acquire the land, rezone it, and preserve it as a public park. This would be a critical step toward protecting the environment and honouring the history of the land. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Council on March 28, a motion to expropriate Lemay Forest was introduced. Unfortunately, it was laid over by the majority of Council. I want to be clear\u2014I, along with Councillor Orlikow, voted in favour of expropriation right away. I believe we needed to send a strong message that this land belongs in public hands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To everyone who showed up, emailed, called, or wrote in to support this cause\u2014thank you. Your voices matter, and your advocacy is helping drive the fight to save Lemay Forest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We must act now to protect this vital piece of Winnipeg\u2019s natural and historical landscape\u2014for today, and for generations to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n